2010

I'm writing this from a plane headed to China. I spent the second decade of my life there--1992 to 1999. It will be an interesting homecoming.

I have yet to really think about 2010. 2009 was a tough and great year. I finished my Masters program, where I learned many many things and, for perhaps the first time in my life, felt surrounded with a similar 'type' of people. SIPA is a place full of nomads, people who can enter any room and make friends, learn new languages, and are happy with a certain footloose life. They work hard and party hard because so much of life has been temporary. I never had to explain my background, why I want to learn to make chebujen (sp?) and chupe and why I'll never buy a house or live in one place.

I've moved 7 times this year. I've been job hunting for over a year. I'm teaching part-time. I'm in a wonderful relationship and have wonderful and close family and friends. I've started this blog and am trying to stay up-to-speed in both my field and to think out-of-the-box.

I'm a Buddhist and we don't (at least my sect) believe in heaven or hell after death. We believe that we are in interlinked levels of heaven and hell at all times. Two of the 'lower' levels of 'heaven' are learning and realization. 2000-2010 was probably my decade of learning--two degrees, a lot of self-exploration and lots of life skills. With this thought, I hope that the next decade will be about realization. I hope to develop wisdom, to understand how the things I learn play out in the real world and how to adapt myself without losing myself.

Exploring is part of my nature and I look forward to what I learn in the coming years! I also look forward to hearing your insights as this blog evolves into whatever it will become.

I wonder what I will realize.